270 MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES. 



within a few days from the time they were gathered. Their change 

 to the chrysalis state is an interesting operation, and by phrcing the 

 box cover in a horizontal position, where one can watch it from 

 below, the minutest detail in the process may be watched with ease. 

 Then, too, one has not long to wait for the butterflies to hatch, and 

 in this way a fine lot of perfect specimens is assured. 



Chrysalis of \';inessa. 



On emerging from its chrysalis the Inittei'fly voids a I'ed colored 

 liquid which looks somewhat like drops of blood. As many of these 

 butterflies and allied species frequently hatch at about the same 

 time, the sprinkling of this red liquid on the streets and houses of 

 towns has given rise in olden times, among the superstitious inhab- 

 itants, to stories of showers of blood which were supposed to foretell 

 disasters or wars. 



This butterfly inhabits Europe, and is supposed to have been 

 introduced into America from there. It is not common in England, 

 and the collector there capturing a fine specimen considers he has 

 taken a prize. 



A much smaller but bright and attractive butterfly is Vanessa 

 milherti. It is a much more northern species in its range than tlie 

 preceding, being rarely found in the southern or middle portion of 

 the United States. It is, however, common in northern New Eng- 

 land and Canada, and, like the preceding, makes its appearance early 

 in the spring and again later in the summer. 



The larva, whicli is dark and covered with short spines, feeds on 

 the nettle and leads a gregarious life in the earlier part of its exist- 

 ence. The butterfly is a wary and agile little creature, frequently 

 opening and closing its wings in a sudden and nervous manner while 

 at rest, as if it were impatient to be off. The under side, like that of 

 Vanessa antiofa^ is protective in coloring, rendering it difficult to see 

 until it opens its wings. It is rare at my home in Wellesle}', and we 



